45 Fast Facts About the University at Buffalo School of Law

The LYSK podcast series covers all areas of the law including criminal, wills and real estate, and profiles various law schools in New York State. This episode features the University at Buffalo School of Law and covers (almost) everything potential students should know about the law school. 

There’s a lot of info stuffed into this 30-minute interview. Below are 45 fast facts Lindsay shares with listeners. You can listen to the full podcast here:

• The University at Buffalo School of Law was founded in 1887.
• UB School of Law is the only law school in the SUNY system.
• The law school is located in Amherst, a Buffalo suburb ranked one of the safest areas in the country.
• There is a designated on-campus living area for law students, so finding off-campus housing is not required.
• The law school community is extremely supportive at all levels. Students and faculty go out of their way to help each other, to teach, and to inspire students.

• Total enrollment is about 450 students at any given time.
• In 2019, 151 new students enrolled from 50 different undergraduate majors.
• The average age of first-year law students is 25-26, but 32% of new students who enrolled in fall 2018 were over 30.
• There’s quite a mix of people who end up at UB School of Law, including career changers and people who decide they want an advanced degree later in their career.

• Buffalo's cost of living is well below the average COL in the US, and has the lowest COL of major cities in upstate NY.
• Buffalo is located close to Niagara Falls and Toronto, and is the second largest city in New York.
• Buffalo has a robust public transportation system to get around within the city and outside of it. There are buses, major airports, an Amtrak station, and a subway line - it’s easy to get around without a car!
• UB School of Law students have a monopoly on the legal opportunities in Buffalo because it’s the only law school in the area.

• The law school admissions committee takes a holistic approach in reviewing applications - they consider undergraduate and graduate coursework, graduate degrees, law-related internships, legal work experience, leadership positions held at undergraduate level, and letters of recommendation.
• In personal statements, admissions is looking for a sincere interest in the study and practice of law. Writing abilities are considered as well.
• Overall, the admissions committee is looking for qualities that show someone will be successful in law school and beyond.
• Along with traditional LSAT & GPA criteria, GRE scores are also accepted in place of the LSAT.
• If you have concerns about your qualifications, you can submit an addendum to your application.

• Students can choose from eight Concentrations, including a new sports law concentration.
• For students interested in corporate practice and finance, the law school offers a semester-long finance and law program in New York City students are placed in an externship during this program, and the only added expense is cost of living.
• For foreign-trained lawyers, there’s a 2-year JD program and LLM programs to learn about practicing law in the US.
• Because of its affiliation with the University at Buffalo, the law school can offer eight Dual Degree programs in areas such as social work, architecture, urban planning, and Ph.Ds.
• The JD/MBA program is the most popular dual degree.

• Students in the Veterans Legal Practicum course perform service learning with the New York state Justice for Heroes program to help address the needs of U.S. veterans.
• The Entrepreneurship Law Clinic provides legal services to entrepreneurs and startups. Students gain experience with legal challenges specific to startups and early-stage high-growth ventures.

• Local practitioners, many of whom are alumni, give back and teach elective courses.
• A January bridge term is available for 2Ls and 3Ls - you can come in during the month of January and take one or two credits.
  
• Law students are not charged separately for the January bridge term. Bridge term credits are applied to the student's spring course load.
  

• UB School of Law has student-run law journals, the most prestigious being the Buffalo Law Review. Other student-run law journals are interest-specific.
  
• Moot court and mock trial teams compete at all stages regionally, nationally, and internationally.
• There are dozens of student organizations to choose from that fall under the student bar association.
• Every winter, the law school collaborates with the Alumni Association to host a matching reception for the mentor program. First-year law students and LLM students are matched with experienced attorneys to get one-on-one guidance.

• Two thirds of UB School of Law graduates end up in private practice firms of all different sizes, from small local firms to corporate firms in NYC and other metro areas.
• UB School of Law students have a strong interest in public interest and social justice law, and many end up in public interest and government positions.
• Many alum end up staying in Buffalo or upstate New York after they graduate, no matter where they come from!
• The Career Services Office (CSO) can help match graduates with jobs. The CSO meets with all first-year law students to get an idea of their interests and where they see themselves in the future, and helps provide resources to get there.

• The University at Buffalo School of Law is one of the most affordable law schools in the northeast - current out-of-state tuition is only $4k more than in-state tuition per year.
• Merit scholarships are offered to over 80% of incoming students.
• Merit scholarships range from $2,500/year to full tuition coverage - the average award is $9,500/year.
• There is a registrar and financial aid office with a dedicated financial aid coordinator for law students. Students can get individual attention for questions and concerns about costs and student loan debt.
• Depending on where you work after law school, there are loan repayment programs and forgiveness options if you’re practicing in certain sectors.

• The law school hosts three open houses per year - two in the fall and one in the spring.
• Prospective students can submit an individual visit. This allows you to sit in on a lecture, meet with current students, and speak with a representative.
• To arrange a visit or find out more about the law school, submit an Individual Visit request form online or call the admission office at 716-645-2907. An admissions representative is happy to meet with you in person or by phone.